Barbra Banda named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024
African football has once again been placed on the map following the announcement of Barbra Banda as BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year for 2024.
The 24-year-old from Zambia is only the second African football player to win the coveted prize after Nigerian Asisat Oshoala in 2015.
Other famous winners of the award include Ada Hegerberg, Lucy Bronze, Vivianne Miedema, and Beth Mead.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya takes a look at the Zambian’s successful season and her remarkable journey to the top of the game.
Deserved accolade
By all accounts, Banda has had a great year.
From her outstanding performances during the Paris Olympic Games to winning the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Championship MVP award, the Orlando Pride striker has not shown any signs of slowing down.
The Zambian ultimately received the most votes from BBC Sport readers after an initial five-player shortlist was announced last month.
Selected by a panel of football experts from around the world, the shortlist was based on performances between September 2023 and August 2024.
“I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side,” said Banda after the announcement.
“I would like to thank the people who voted and everyone who has played a part in my life and my career – my family, my national team in Zambia, and especially the Pride team. It is for everyone.”
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A modern great of the women’s game
In 2018, Banda became the first Zambian woman to play European football after signing for Spanish side Logrono.
She was then signed by Orlando Pride in March this year after the club paid Shanghai Shengli $740,000 (£580,000), making her the second-most expensive signing in women’s football history.
On the international stage, the Zambia captain was the first woman to score two hat-tricks in the same Olympic tournament after achieving the feat at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Subsequently, at this year’s Paris Olympics, Banda scored four goals, including a first-half hat-trick against powerhouse Australia. This made her Africa’s leading goalscorer in Olympic football history with ten goals.
In addition, during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she scored in Zambia’s first-ever win at the tournament.
“My aim always is to score, because I love scoring,” Banda says of her achievements. “But it all starts from practice – having good training sessions and good talks with the coaches and teammates.
“It has not been easy, but I think hard work and consistency has really helped.”
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